Croupier (1998)

Featured Audience Ratings

• paul o

  
  There are few movies that actually take a look at the deep issues of people in the gambling business. Clive Owens was just fantastic playing Jack, a writer to be while having a talent with cards. With a wonderful story, the stylish background was beautiful. If you liked this, you… More
  There are few movies that actually take a look at the deep issues of people in the gambling business. Clive Owens was just fantastic playing Jack, a writer to be while having a talent with cards. With a wonderful story, the stylish background was beautiful. If you liked this, you should watch Hard Eight.

• Cynthia S

  
  This movie has a lot of things going for it. Clive Owen, gambling and violence. But as an American used to American movies of the same nature, this movie just doesn't pul it's own weight. It is a "crime drama thriller," that fails to be thrilling.

• Wahida K

  
  Hang On Tightly... Let Go Lightly

• Drew S

  
  Clive Owen, sexiest motherfucker on the whole damn block, ladies and gentlemen. He'll never top this. This is how to craft a badass without making him seem like a silly caricature - gift him with intelligence, perception, humanity. John is such a delight to watch at all times, a… More
  Clive Owen, sexiest motherfucker on the whole damn block, ladies and gentlemen. He'll never top this. This is how to craft a badass without making him seem like a silly caricature - gift him with intelligence, perception, humanity. John is such a delight to watch at all times, a fine example of a living and breathing enigma in a profession that suits him impeccably. Croupier is blessed with a goodness of fit between its star, the circumstances surrounding him, and the gritty cheap way that the movie is filmed. It is a noir of special economy; one downturned glance from Owen says more than most of the monologues. The contempt surging in him for his punters is an especially electric touch, evident in the way that he doesn't even acknowledge them physically. It's like he's pulling money out of thin air. It's not going to blow you out of your socks or anything, but it's an incredibly admirable, intelligent movie, the work of an immensely talented cast and crew. If you're into casino movies, or even just movies about human observation, this is an absolute must.

• Tim S

  
  Huge Clive Owen fan (like Caine, reeks off badassness). I liked this film, but felt that it fell apart in the end. My favorite part of the story was the writer aspect of the story and thought that was the strongest and most interesting part of the story. Then Hodges feels the need to… More
  Huge Clive Owen fan (like Caine, reeks off badassness). I liked this film, but felt that it fell apart in the end. My favorite part of the story was the writer aspect of the story and thought that was the strongest and most interesting part of the story. Then Hodges feels the need to add a couple of really loopy stories and characters that took me out of the film. Owen keeps you going though and does a good job here. He makes an interesting character more interesting with his look and reactions which are never over the top even though the situations around him are over the top. Another thing is I, personally, don't get gambling. To me it is ridiculous to flush your money down the toilet any more than necessary by playing cards and wishing on a "lucky ball" and where it lands to get money. Either way, it provides an interesting setting, but I found it a little hard to swallow that this guy would change that much of his personality just because he took this job. I could see if he was a gambling addict or something, but he never gambled, so it didn't make any sense. There are a couple of great voice overs and some really great lines, but in the end, I felt it was flat and redundant.

• Bruce B

  
  Early Clive Owen, and he did real well in the part, thought it was lame at first but it turned out pretty good. Rent it enjoy it return it. Simple

• Lady D

  
  A rather drawn out film despite the main storyline being pretty good. Clivce Owen appeared to be a bit miserable and monotone which of course made the character and with his hat on, he just kept reminding of Michael Stipe when he sang 'Man on the Moon' VERDICT:… More
  A rather drawn out film despite the main storyline being pretty good. Clivce Owen appeared to be a bit miserable and monotone which of course made the character and with his hat on, he just kept reminding of Michael Stipe when he sang 'Man on the Moon' VERDICT: Watchable, but nothing too special

• Stephen E

  
  It's a shame that Clive Owen isn't out in good movies anymore. His role here in Croupier, as the existential card dealer, is magnificent. Croupier is directed by Mike Hodges, who, like Guy Ritchie, typically stays in the same genre of film. There is some fine direction… More
  It's a shame that Clive Owen isn't out in good movies anymore. His role here in Croupier, as the existential card dealer, is magnificent. Croupier is directed by Mike Hodges, who, like Guy Ritchie, typically stays in the same genre of film. There is some fine direction here, and the cinematography is marvelous. Such smooth camera movement like I've never seen before. Certainly, Croupier is not a film for everyone. It is a lot like another English film, Intermission, where the plot doesn't really take off until about any hour in, and that plot disappears within fifteen minutes. What you have here is a fine, meandering character analysis. Normally, people would find that sort of film boring. Who wants to watch a person live for a good hour and a half? But luckily for us, Croupier has a great lead character named Jack, and he is played to perfection by Clive Owen. This character is so interesting. He's a lot like Ryan Gosling in Drive. He exists, and we're seeing him live his life, but he less of a person and more of a meaning. He stands for something; maybe the good in the world. Such a disgrace that this film was disqualified for the Academy Awards. If not for that, I feel like Owen wouldn't been nominated. His performance practically makes this film. Neo-noir is a genre that is rarely perfected, and while Croupier isn't quite perfect, it's definitely one of the best I've seen. It makes for an immensely interesting watch.

• Hal M

  
  Clive Owen commands the screen in this stylishly directed film noir with twists and further twists. Cool music too. Definitely recommended.

• Curt C

  
  Clive Owen stars as an aspiring writer who takes on a job as a croupier (casino dealer) to help spark his writing. His writing takes off as he finds himself being dragged further into his casino lifestyle, resembling his main character further and further. This is a sharp drama set… More
  Clive Owen stars as an aspiring writer who takes on a job as a croupier (casino dealer) to help spark his writing. His writing takes off as he finds himself being dragged further into his casino lifestyle, resembling his main character further and further. This is a sharp drama set against the background of gambling, narrated by Clive Owen as if it were springing off a book. Everyone in this film plays the odds in some fashion, except for Owen's Jack Manfred. Until he does. I will admit, I loved the source material, and Clive Owen is one of my favourite actors, so this really pushed all the right buttons for me.

• Stephen E

  
  "Croupier" is an incredibly attractive film in all aspects. It is well-made, well-written, and well-acted, mostly by Clive Owen, who deserves to be in better movies nowadays. His performance here as the existential card dealer is magnificent.

• Sean S

  
  The thing about art films is that they are very predictable because in their attempt to show how complex and interesting their characters are they tend to make things very dumb. Still and all Alex Kingston is naked at one point so it isn't completely bad.

• Marcus W

  
  Completely shoddy and amateur in every possible way. I've seen episodes of Hollyoaks that are more professionally made.

• Leo L

  
  Interesting.

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